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PubMed2000

Intake, digestibility, and composition of orchardgrass and alfalfa silages treated with cellulase, inoculant, and formic acid fed to lambs.

The objectives of this study were to determine the effect of a cellulase (from Trichoderma longibrachiatum) alone or combined with a bacterial inoculant (Lactobacillus plantarum and Pediococcus cerevisiae) or formic acid on composition, intake, and digestibility of orchardgrass (Dactylis glomerata L.) and alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) silages. Orchardgrass and alfalfa were harvested at the early heading stage and at the early bloom stage of maturity and wilted to approximately 22 and 32% DM, respectively. Forages were then ensiled in 100-L sealed barrels for at least 60 d before they were fed to lambs. Silage treated with cellulase had lower (P < .001) pH and lower (P < .001) acetic acid and NH3 N concentrations than untreated silage of both plant species and a higher (P = .004) lactic acid concentration than the control treatment of alfalfa silage. Fermentation characteristics of cellulase-treated silages, especially of alfalfa, were further enhanced by use of inoculant. Formic acid addition increased (P < .001), reducing sugar concentration of cellulase-treated orchardgrass and alfalfa silage by 90 and 154%, respectively, and decreased (P < .001) NH3 N concentration of cellulase-treated alfalfa silage by 19%. Averaged across plant species, cellulase, combined with inoculant or formic acid, resulted in 8 and 13% greater (P = .03) DMI, respectively, than the control silage. Extensive enzymatic cell-wall degradation during ensiling decreased (P = .003) NDF intake of cellulase-treated orchardgrass silage by 25% and decreased (P = .001) cellulose intake by 23%, when averaged across plant species. Addition of formic acid increased (P = .003) NDF intake of cellulase-treated orchardgrass silage by 19%. Averaged across species, cellulase application decreased (P < .05) silage NDF digestibility by 18%. Greater sugar and lower acetic acid, NH3 N, and NDF concentrations resulted in greater DMI of cellulase-treated silage than of control silage, when cellulase was combined with formic acid or inoculant.

Animal Feed↗
PubMed2003

The effect of Lactobacillus buchneri, with or without homofermentative lactic acid bacteria, on the fermentation, aerobic stability and ruminal degradability of wheat, sorghum and maize silages.

AIMS: To determine the effect of Lactobacillus buchneri, alone or in combination with homofermentative lactic acid bacteria (LAB), on the fermentation, aerobic stability and ruminal degradability of wheat, sorghum and maize silages. METHODS AND RESULTS: The inoculants were applied at 1.0 x 10(6) CFU g(-1). Silages with no additives served as control. Three jars per treatment were sampled on days 2, 4, 8, 15 and 60 after ensiling, for chemical and microbiological analysis. At the end of the ensiling period, the silages were subjected to an aerobic stability test. The L. buchneri- and L. buchneri + L. plantarum-inoculated silages had significantly higher levels of acetic acid than the control and L. plantarum-inoculated silages (P<0.05). Therefore, yeast activity was impaired in the L. buchneri- and L. buchneri + L. plantarum-inoculated silages. As a result, L. buchneri, with or without L. plantarum, improved aerobic stability of the silages. The combination of L. buchneri and L. plantarum reduced pH, ammonia-N, and fermentation losses in the silages. However, L. buchneri, L. plantarum and L. buchneri + L. plantarum did not affect in situ dry matter, organic matters, and neutral detergent fibre degradability of the silages. CONCLUSIONS: The L. buchneri was very effective in protecting the wheat, sorghum and maize silages exposed to air under laboratory conditions. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: The use of L. buchneri, with or without homofermentative LAB, as a silage inoculant can improve the aerobic stability of silages by inhibition of yeast activity.

Acetic Acid↗
PubMed2006

The effect of Lactobacillus buchneri on the fermentation, aerobic stability and ruminal degradability of maize silage.

AIMS: To evaluate the effect of Lactobacillus buchneri, heterofermentative lactic acid bacteria (LAB), on the fermentation, aerobic stability and ruminal degradability of whole-crop maize silages under laboratory conditions. Two homofermentative LAB were tested for the purpose of comparison. METHODS AND RESULTS: Maize was harvested at early dent [290 g kg(-1) dry matter (DM)] and one-half milk line (355 g kg(-1) DM) stages. Both homofermentative LAB were applied at 1 x 10(5) CFU g(-1) of fresh forage. Lactobacillus buchneri was applied at 1 x 10(5), 5 x 10(5) and 1 x 10(6) CFU g(-1) of fresh forage. Silages with no additives served as control. After treatment, the chopped forages were ensiled in 1.5-l anaerobic jars. Three jars per treatment were sampled on day 60. After 60 days of storage, silages were subjected to an aerobic stability test lasting for 5 days, in which CO(2) production, as well as chemical and microbiological parameters, was measured to determine the extent of aerobic deterioration. Both homofermentative LAB increased the concentration of lactic acid and the numbers of yeasts, and decreased the concentration of acetic acid and impaired the aerobic stability of silages. In contrast, applying L. buchneri decreased the concentration of lactic acid and increased the concentration of acetic acid of the silages. Under aerobic conditions, silages treated with 5 x 10(5) and 1 x 10(6) CFU g(-1) of L. buchneri, had lower pH, CO(2) production and the numbers of yeasts than the silages treated with 1 x 10(5) CFU g(-1) of L. buchneri (P < 0.05). However, all doses of L. buchneri and both homofermentative LAB did not affect in situ rumen DM, organic matter and neutral detergent fibre degradability of the silages. CONCLUSIONS: Lactobacillus buchneri was very effective in protecting maize silages exposed to air under laboratory conditions. All doses of L. buchneri, especially 5 x 10(5) CFU g(-1) or more, markedly decreased the numbers of yeasts and improved the aerobic stability of silages. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: The use of L. buchneri, as a silage inoculant, can improve the aerobic stability of maize silages by inhibition of yeast activity.

Aerobiosis↗
PubMed1990

Effects of altering the grain content of sorghum silage on its nutritive value.

The effects of increasing grain content of sorghum silage at the soft dough or the mature stages on nutrient digestibility, rate of passage and ruminal characteristics were investigated. A hetero-yellow grain sorghum (WAC 710DR) was harvested at the soft dough and the mature stage. Conventional sorghum silage was harvested by harvesting only the material more than 12 cm above the ground, high-energy silage by cutting it at a 40-cm height and headchop by harvesting at a 65-cm height. Regular silage was supplemented with either 17% or 34% grain to provide amounts of grain equal to that in the high-energy silage and headchop; high-energy silage was supplemented with 25% grain to equal the grain content of headchop. Diets were supplemented to 11.0% CP with soybean meal. Grain content was greater for headchop than for regular silage (72% vs 53%) but DM yield was lower (2,900 vs 4,600 kg/ha). Silages harvested at the more mature stage had lower digestibility of DM (62 vs 68%), CP (60 vs 64%), NDF (46 vs 50%), ADF (48 vs 52%) and starch (89 vs 97%). Increasing the height of cut did not increase DM digestibility of the silage. Compared with conventional silage, headchop had depressed NDF (43 vs 51%) and ADF (46 vs 55%) digestibility. Supplementation of silages with grain did not increase digestibility. The failure to increase DM digestibility was not due to depressed fiber or starch digestion, but rather to an increased fecal excretion of cell contents. The digestibility of grain sorghum silage was not improved by increasing the height of cut or adding supplemental grain.

Animals↗
PubMed2000

Microbial populations, fermentation end-products, and aerobic stability of corn silage treated with ammonia or a propionic acid-based preservative.

We studied the effects of ammonia treatment on microbial populations during the fermentation of corn silage. We also compared the effects of ammonia to a preservative containing buffered propionic acid and other antifungal compounds on the fermentation and aerobic stability of corn silage. In the first experiment, whole-plant corn was ensiled without treatment or treated with ammonia-N to supply an additional 0.3% N (fresh-forage basis). The addition of ammonia immediately increased silage pH and had no effect on numbers of lactic acid bacteria, but delayed their growth compared with untreated silage. Numbers of enterobacteria declined more slowly, but numbers of yeasts and molds declined more quickly in silage treated with ammonia. During the early stages of ensiling, lactic acid increased more rapidly in untreated than in treated silage. The reverse was true for acetic acid concentrations. When exposed to air, growth of yeasts and molds was delayed in ammonia-treated silage. In a second experiment, various levels (0.1 to 0.3%, fresh weight) of ammonium-N or a preservative with buffered propionic acid were added to whole-plant corn and allowed to ensile for 106 d. Silage treated with ammonia had a greater ratio of L- to D-lactic acid than did other silages. Untreated silage was aerobically stable for 32.3 h, whereas the low (42 h) and moderate (52.7 h) concentrations of both additives numerically improved aerobic stability. High concentrations of ammonia-N (0.3%) or a buffered propionic acid preservative (0.3%), markedly improved the aerobic stability of corn silage (82 and 69 h for ammonia and propionic acid-treated silage, respectively).

Ammonia↗
PubMed2001

Rumen acid production from dairy feeds. 1. Effects on feed intake and milk production of dairy cows offered grass or corn silages.

Earlier studies developed a new approach to feed evaluation, measuring the net acid load that develops during rumen fermentation. Two concentrates were formulated to be isoenergetic and isonitrogenous, with extremes of rumen acid load. A third treatment comprised a 50:50 mixture of these concentrates. These concentrates were evaluated along with ryegrass silage and corn silage. The feeds were evaluated in a continuous culture system adapted to deliver and record the quantities of acid or alkali needed to maintain a constant pH (6.2 to 6.3). This study confirmed the anticipated ranking of concentrates for rumen acid load, as well as the highly acidogenic nature of corn silage. The concentrates were formulated to balance corn silage and were offered to early-lactation Holstein-Friesian cows at 50% of dry matter intake, with either ryegrass silage or corn silage. Feed intake was lower for animals offered corn silage-based diets (17.4 vs. 22.2 kg of dry matter/d). Increasing concentrate acid load led to a large decline in dry matter intake for corn silage, although not for grass silage. Feed intake effects were reflected in significant effects on yield of milk (31.0, 29.9, and 26.9 kg/d for low-, medium-, and high-acid load concentrates, respectively) and milk solids. Milk protein concentration was unaffected by concentrate type with corn silage diets but tended to be higher when high acid load concentrates were fed with grass silage. This may reflect the effect of the high starch concentrate rectifying a shortage of glucogenic precursors or microbial protein with the grass silage-based diet.

Animal Feed↗
PubMed2003

Corn silage management: effects of hybrid, chop length, and mechanical processing on digestion and energy content.

Two experiments were conducted to evaluate the effects of chop length and mechanical processing of two hybrids of whole plant corn on digestion and energy content of the total mixed ration (TMR). The experimental designs in experiments 1 and 2 were 6 x 6 and 4 x 4 Latin squares, respectively. In the first experiment, Pioneer hybrid 3845 was harvested at three theoretical lengths of cut: 11.1, 27.8, and 39.7 mm. At each chop length, corn was harvested with and without mechanical processing using a John Deere 5830 harvester with an onboard kernel processor. In the second experiment, Pioneer hybrid Quanta was harvested at two theoretical lengths of cut: 27.8 and 39.7 mm, with and without mechanical processing. In both experiments, the increase in the theoretical length of cut of corn silage increased the average length of cut and tended to increase the percentage of particles greater than 19 mm and lower the percentage of particles between 8 and 19 mm. In experiment 1, apparent total tract dry matter, organic matter, and neutral detergent fiber (NDF) digestibilities were lower for cows fed diets containing corn silage harvested at a short chop length (11.1 mm) than for corn silage harvested at a long chop length (39.7 mm). The lower total tract digestibility of nutrients may have contributed to the lower TDN, metabolizable energy (percentage of digestible energy), and NEL concentration of diets containing the short chop length corn silage (experiment 1). In experiment 2, total tract starch digestibility was greater for cows fed medium chop (27.8 mm) corn silage diets, and total tract NDF digestibility was greater for cows fed long chop (39.7 mm) corn silage diets. The opposing effect of total tract starch and fiber digestibilities between chop lengths may have contributed to the lack of difference in energy content of the diets in experiment 2. The TDN and NEL concentrations of the processed corn silage diets were greater than the unprocessed corn silage diets in experiment 1. The increase in energy concentration for the processed corn silage diet was due to greater total tract digestibility of organic matter and ether extract. Total tract starch digestibility was greater, and total tract NDF digestibility was lower for cows fed processed corn silage diets than unprocessed corn silage diets in experiment 2. The opposing effect of total tract starch and fiber digestibilities between processed and unprocessed corn silage may have contributed to the lack of difference in energy content of the diets.

Animal Feed↗
PubMed2003

The effect of Lactobacillus buchneri and Lactobacillus plantarum on the fermentation, aerobic stability, and ruminal degradability of low dry matter corn and sorghum silages.

The effect of Lactobacillus buchneri, alone or in combination with Lactobacillus plantarum, on the fermentation, aerobic stability, and ruminal degradability of low dry matter corn and sorghum silages was studied under laboratory conditions. The inoculants were applied at 1 x 10(6) cfu/g. Silages with no additives served as control. After treatment, the chopped forages were ensiled in 1.5-L anaerobic jars. Three jars per treatment were sampled on d 2, 4, 8, 15, and 90. After 90 d of storage, the silages were subjected to an aerobic stability test lasting 5 d, in which CO2 production, as well as chemical and microbiological parameters, was measured to determine the extent of aerobic deterioration. At the end of the ensiling period (d 90), the L. buchneri- and L. buchneri + L. plantarum-inoculated silages had significantly higher levels of acetic acid than the control and L. plantarum-inoculated silages. Therefore, yeast activity was impaired in the L. buchneri- and L. buchneri + L. plantarum-inoculated silages. As a result, L. buchneri, alone or in combination with L. plantarum, improved aerobic stability of the low dry matter corn and sorghum silages. The combination of L. buchneri and L. plantarum reduced ammonia N concentrations and fermentation losses in the silages compared with L. buchneri alone. However, L. buchneri, L. plantarum, and a combination of L. buchneri + L. plantarum did not effect in situ rumen dry matter, organic matters, or neutral detergent fiber degradability of the silages. The L. buchneri was very effective in protecting the low dry matter corn and sorghum silages exposed to air under laboratory conditions. The use of L. buchneri, alone or in combination with L. plantarum, as a silage inoculant can improve the aerobic stability of low dry matter corn and sorghum silages by inhibition of yeast activity.

Acetates↗
PubMed2004

Effect of alfalfa forage preservation method and particle length on performance of dairy cows fed corn silage-based diets and tallow.

A study was conducted to evaluate the effect of including alfalfa preserved either as silage or long-stem or chopped hay on DMI and milk fat production of dairy cows fed corn silage-based diets with supplemental tallow (T). Fifteen Holstein cows that averaged 117 DIM were used in a replicated 5 x 5 Latin square design with 21-d periods. Treatments (DM basis) were: 1) 50% corn silage:50% concentrate without T (CS); 2) 50% corn silage:50% concentrate with 2% T (CST); 3) 25% corn silage:25% short-cut alfalfa hay:50% concentrate with 2% T (SAHT); 4) 25% corn silage:25% long-cut alfalfa hay:50% concentrate with 2% T (LAHT); and 5) 25% corn silage:25% alfalfa silage:50% concentrate with 2% T (AST). Cows were allowed ad libitum consumption of a TMR fed 4 times daily. Diets averaged 16.4% CP and 30.3% NDF. Including 2% T in diets with corn silage as the sole forage source decreased DMI and milk fat percentage and yield. Replacing part of corn silage with alfalfa in diets with 2% T increased milk fat percentage and yield. The milk fat of cows fed CST was higher in trans-10 C18:1 than that of cows fed diets with alfalfa. No effect of alfalfa preservation method or hay particle length was observed on DMI and milk production. The milk fat percentage and yield were lower, and the proportion of trans-10 C18:1 in milk fat was higher for cows fed LAHT than for cows fed SAHT. Alfalfa preservation method had no effect on milk fat yield. Ruminal pH was higher for cows fed alfalfa in the diets, and it was higher for cows fed LAHT than SAHT. Feeding alfalfa silage or chopped hay appears to be more beneficial than long hay in sustaining milk fat production when 2% T is fed with diets high in corn silage. These results support the role of trans fatty acids in milk fat depression.

Animals↗
PubMed1992

Dynamic model prediction of the value of reduced solubility of alfalfa silage protein for lactating dairy cows.

A net carbohydrate and protein system was used to develop model diets for lactating dairy cattle with various protein solubilities in the alfalfa silage component of the diet. The objective was to determine the level to which alfalfa silage could be used to replace supplemental protein sources as the silage protein solubility decreased and to estimate the value of silage treatments needed to reduce protein solubility. Four cow groups were considered: early lactation multiparous cows, primiparous cows, midlactation cows, and late lactation cows. Diets were balanced for metabolizable protein, metabolizable energy, and ammonia and peptides for rumen bacteria; limits on DMI and effective NDF were enforced. Lower protein solubility was predicted to increase the yield of bacteria per unit of alfalfa silage DM and the yield of metabolizable protein per unit of alfalfa silage CP. Because of reduced protein supplements, diet costs were decreased. The savings per unit of silage in these rations increased as alfalfa silage protein solubility decreased. For example, with a reduction in solubility from 61 to 51% of CP, the savings ranged from $2.96 to $3.26/tonne of silage across the four cow groups. The value of acid treatment of silage needed to effect these reductions exhibited diminishing returns as application rate increased and appeared to be most cost effective when used on high quality alfalfa fed to high producing cows with application rates less than 2 kg/tonne. Management practices that reduce silage temperatures were predicted to save $.50 to $1.50/tonne of silage when the diets were balanced to account for protein degradability.

Animals↗
PubMed1996

In vitro ruminal degradation and synthesis of protein on fractions extracted from alfalfa hay and silage.

Net release of degraded N as NH3 and total AA plus microbial protein synthesis, quantified from incorporation of 15NH3 into microbial protein, was used to estimate the rate and extent of in vitro degradation of protein fractions isolated from alfalfa hay and silage. Seven proteins (casein, alfalfa hay, alfalfa silage, extracts from alfalfa hay and silage, and residues from alfalfa hay and silage) were studied. Results from (NH4)2SO4 and SDS-PAGE fractionations suggested that soluble proteins in alfalfa hay and silage differed in susceptibility to proteolytic attack. Although the net release of NH3 plus total AA N from alfalfa silage and alfalfa silage extract was twofold greater than that from alfalfa hay and alfalfa hay extract, net microbial protein synthesis on alfalfa hay and alfalfa hay extract was 33 and 43% greater. Despite greater NPN content in alfalfa silage, protein degradation rate and estimated escape were similar for intact alfalfa hay (0.103/h and 43%) and silage (0.067/h and 43%). This result might be explained by the less efficient microbial utilization of silage NPN, greater protozoal numbers on hay, greater soluble true protein in hay, or differences in molecular mass and stability of soluble proteins in hay versus silage. Use of a two-compartment model, based on water-soluble and insoluble CP fractions assumed to pass with the liquid and solid phases, respectively, yielded RUP estimates for alfalfa hay and silage that were similar to NRC estimates.

Ammonia↗
PubMed2004

The effect of Propionibacterium acidipropionici, with or without Lactobacillus plantarum, on the fermentation and aerobic stability of wheat, sorghum and maize silages.

AIMS: To determine the effect of Propionibacterium acidipropionici, alone or in combination with Lactobacillus plantarum, on the fermentation and aerobic stability of wheat, sorghum and maize silages. METHODS AND RESULTS: The inoculants were applied at 1.0 x 10(6) CFU g(-1). Silages with no additives served as control. Fresh forages were sampled prior to ensiling. Three jars per treatment were sampled on days 2, 4, 8, 16 and 60 after ensiling, for chemical and microbiological analysis. At the end of the ensiling period, the silages were subjected to an aerobic stability test. The P. acidipropionici-inoculated silages had significantly higher levels of acetic and propionic acid than the L. plantarum or P. acidipropionici + L. plantarum-inoculated silages (P < 0.05). Therefore, yeast activity was impaired in the P. acidipropionici-inoculated silages. As a result, P. acidipropionici decreased CO(2) production and improved aerobic stability of wheat, sorghum and maize silages. However, the combination of P. acidipropionici + L. plantarum did not improve aerobic stability of the silages. CONCLUSIONS: The P. acidipropionici was very effective in protecting the wheat, sorghum and maize silages exposed to air under laboratory conditions, probably because the acidic environment under ensiling conditions is favourable for this micro-organism. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: The use of P. acidipropionici, as a silage inoculant can improve the aerobic stability of silages by inhibition of yeast activity.

Acetic Acid↗
PubMed2000

Efficient improvement of silage additives by using genetic algorithms.

The enormous variety of substances which may be added to forage in order to manipulate and improve the ensilage process presents an empirical, combinatorial optimization problem of great complexity. To investigate the utility of genetic algorithms for designing effective silage additive combinations, a series of small-scale proof of principle silage experiments were performed with fresh ryegrass. Having established that significant biochemical changes occur over an ensilage period as short as 2 days, we performed a series of experiments in which we used 50 silage additive combinations (prepared by using eight bacterial and other additives, each of which was added at six different levels, including zero [i.e. , no additive]). The decrease in pH, the increase in lactate concentration, and the free amino acid concentration were measured after 2 days and used to calculate a "fitness" value that indicated the quality of the silage (compared to a control silage made without additives). This analysis also included a "cost" element to account for different total additive levels. In the initial experiment additive levels were selected randomly, but subsequently a genetic algorithm program was used to suggest new additive combinations based on the fitness values determined in the preceding experiments. The result was very efficient selection for silages in which large decreases in pH and high levels of lactate occurred along with low levels of free amino acids. During the series of five experiments, each of which comprised 50 treatments, there was a steady increase in the amount of lactate that accumulated; the best treatment combination was that used in the last experiment, which produced 4.6 times more lactate than the untreated silage. The additive combinations that were found to yield the highest fitness values in the final (fifth) experiment were assessed to determine a range of biochemical and microbiological quality parameters during full-term silage fermentation. We found that these combinations compared favorably both with uninoculated silage and with a commercial silage additive. The evolutionary computing methods described here are a convenient and efficient approach for designing silage additives.

Algorithms↗
PubMed1993

Aerobic stability and in vitro fiber digestibility of microbially inoculated corn and sorghum silages.

Silage deteriorates readily when exposed to air, resulting in DM losses. Inoculation of silage with lactic acid bacteria may aid fermentation, but effects on aerobic stability are unclear. Two experiments were conducted to determine the effect of commercial bacterial inoculants on aerobic stability and in vitro fiber digestibility of silage. Corn (Zea mays L.; Exp. 1) or sorghum (Sorghum bicolor [L.] Moench; Exp. 2) forage (30% DM) was inoculated (1.1 x 10(5) colony forming units/g of fresh forage) with lactic acid bacteria (Pioneer brand 1174 on corn, Pioneer brand 1129 on sorghum) or bacterial inoculant plus an antifungal agent (potassium sorbate at .5 mg/g of fresh forage) and ensiled in 19-L microsilos. Corn was ensiled for 40 or 186 d and sorghum was ensiled for 30 or 160 d (five microsilos per treatment per ensiling time combination). Silages were exposed to air for 7 to 9 d after opening, and temperature was monitored daily. Water-soluble carbohydrates, pH, NDF, ADF, and in vitro digestibility of NDF and ADF were determined before and after ensiling and on exposed silages. Inoculation reduced (P < .05) silage pH in both corn and sorghum but did not prevent aerobic deterioration of the silages. Temperatures during aerobic exposure of silages did not differ (P > .05) between uninoculated and inoculated silages. Inoculant treatment did not affect (P > .05) concentrations or digestibility of NDF in corn; however, NDF and ADF concentration and in vitro digestibility of NDF increased (P < .05) with time of ensiling in sorghum silage, and in vitro ADF digestibility increased (P < .05) with time of ensiling in corn silage.

Aerobiosis↗
PubMed2003

Effect of grain processing and silage on microbial protein synthesis and nutrient digestibility in beef cattle fed barley-based diets.

Effects of the extent of grain processing and the percentage of silage in barley-based feedlot diets on microbial protein synthesis and nutrient digestibility were evaluated using four steers (initial BW of 442 +/- 15 kg) with ruminal and duodenal cannulas. The experiment was a 4 x 4 Latin square with four periods of 21 d each. Dietary treatments were arranged as a 2 x 2 factorial with two levels of barley silage (20 and 5% DM basis) and two degrees of barley grain processing (coarsely and flatly steamrolled to a processing index [PI] of 86 and 61%, respectively). The PI was quantified as the volume weight of the barley grain after processing, expressed as a percentage of the volume weight prior to processing. Digest a flow (Yb) and microbial (15N) markers were continuously infused into the rumen for a period of 13 d. Ruminal, duodenal, and fecal samples were collected at various times over the last 6 d of marker infusion. Diurnal ruminal pH was measured for 48 h. Intake of DM averaged 1.8% of BW, and was not different among the dietary treatments (P > 0.10). Ruminal starch digestibility was higher (P < 0.05) for the more extensively processed grain and tended (P < 0.10) to be highest when the more extensively processed grain was combined with 5% barley silage. In contrast, ruminal fiber digestibility for the 5% silage diets was reduced (P < 0.05) when the grain was more extensively processed. There was, however, no effect of grain processing on ruminal OM digestibility (P > 0.10), and hence, no inhibitory effect on microbial N flow to the intestine (P > 0.10). There was also no effect of the level of silage on microbial N flow (P > 0.10), but there was a tendency for improved efficiency of microbial protein synthesis for the 20% silage diets (P = 0.072). Ruminal escape of nonmicrobial N (P = 0.003) was greater, and thus, protein flow to the intestine was greater for the 5% silage diets. Diurnal ruminal pH was lower (P < 0.05) for 11 of the 24 hourly time points in steers fed the 5% silage diets than those fed the 20% silage diets. In conclusion, barley grain rolled to a PI of 86 to 61% and combined with 20 and 5% barley silage had little effect on microbial protein supply. Microbial protein supply was not inhibited when the barley grain was extensively processed (PI of 61%) and the silage was limited to only 5% of the diet DM, but feed intake of steers in this study was lower than would be expected in the feedlot.

Animal Feed↗
PubMed2001

The effect of Lactobacillus buchneri and other additives on the fermentation and aerobic stability of barley silage.

Whole-plant barley (39.4% dry matter) was treated with various chemical and biological additives to assess their effects on silage fermentation and aerobic stability. Treatments were untreated forage, forage treated with several amounts of Lactobacillus buchneri and enzymes (L. buchneri at 1 x 10(5), 5 x 10(5), and 1 x 10(6) cfu/g of fresh forage), forage treated with an inoculant containing (Lactobacillus plantarum, Pediococcus pentosaceus, Propionibacterium freudenreichii, and enzymes), or forage treated with a buffered propionic acid-based additive (0.2% of fresh weight). Sixty-nine d after ensiling, silages treated with L. buchneri and enzymes had lower pH, but had higher concentrations of acetic and propionic acids and higher concentrations of ethanol when compared with untreated silage. Silage treated with the multistrain inoculant containing L. plantarum had lower pH and higher concentrations of lactic acid, but lower concentrations of ammonia-N, neutral detergent fiber, and acid detergent fiber than did untreated silage. The addition of the buffered propionic acid additive resulted in silage with higher concentrations of lactic and acetic acid compared with untreated silage. Numbers of yeasts in all silages were low at silo opening (less than 3.0 log cfu/g) and were numerically the lowest in silages treated with L. buchneri but only treatment with the intermediate and high level of L. buchneri improved the aerobic stability of silage. Because of the altered fermentation pattern, inoculation with L. buchneri, when applied at equal to or more than 5 x 10(5) cfu/g, and enzymes improved the aerobic stability of barley silage.

Acetic Acid↗
PubMed2002

Effect of feeding a corn hybrid selected for leafiness as silage or grain to lactating dairy cattle.

A leafy corn hybrid was compared to a grain corn hybrid as silage and high moisture grain to evaluate dry matter intake, milk yield, and milk composition. Sixteen multiparous Holstein cows averaging 97 DIM were used in a feeding trial based on 4 x 4 Latin squares with 21-d periods. Each of four diets contained (dry basis) 8% chopped hay, 42% corn silage, 11% high moisture corn grain, 10% whole, fuzzy cottonseed, and 29% protein concentrate. One diet used leafy corn as both high moisture grain and silage. A second diet contained grain corn hybrid (control) as both high moisture grain and silage. A third diet contained leafy corn for high moisture grain and control corn for silage and the fourth diet used control corn for high moisture grain and leafy corn for silage. Cows fed diets containing leafy silage produced more milk and milk protein and ate more DM than cows fed control silage. The corn hybrid used for high moisture grain did not influence milk yield or composition. Dry matter intake was greater for cows fed the diet containing both leafy high moisture grain and leafy silage than for cows fed both control high moisture grain and control silage, but milk yield and composition were not different. When fed as silage, the leafy corn hybrid used in this experiment supported greater DMI as well as higher milk and protein yields when compared to the grain corn hybrid.

Animal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena↗
PubMed2005

Chemical and physical characteristics of corn silages and their effects on in vitro disappearance.

Estimating the available energy in corn silage provides a unique challenge because the silage contains variable proportions of grain and stover, each of which can differ in availability due to chemical composition and physical form. The objectives of this study were to investigate relationships among chemical components and their relationships with in vitro disappearance of ground and unground dried silages, and to quantify minimally fragmented starch in corn silage and investigate its impact and that of mean particle size (MPS) on in vitro disappearance of unground silages. Thirty-two corn silages were selected to provide diversity in dry matter, protein, fiber, and MPS. Detergent fibers were highly correlated with each other and with nonfiber carbohydrates, and were used to develop prediction equations between these constituents. Sieves with apertures > or =4.75 mm were used to isolate intact kernels and large kernel fragments, which were collected and analyzed to measure minimally fragmented starch (Starch>4.75). Dividing Starch>4.75 by total starch defined the proportion of minimally fragmented starch (Starch>4.75/Total), which ranged from 9 to 100% with a mean of 52%. Starch>4.75/Total was positively correlated with MPS (r = 0.46). The inverse of Starch>4.75/Total is an index of kernel fragmentation. Silages were prepared as whole material or ground to pass through a 4- or 1-mm screen of a cutter mill. In vitro dry matter disappearance (IVDMD) was greater for ground than for whole samples (71.7 and 61.2%, respectively). Increased IVDMD for ground samples was attributed to greater in vitro neutral detergent fiber (NDF) and neutral detergent solubles (NDS) disappearances. The IVDMD of ground samples was related to NDF and acid detergent lignin (R2 = 0.80). The IVDMD of whole corn silage was related to acid detergent lignin, Starch>4.75, MPS, and dry matter. When IVDMD was partitioned into in vitro digestible NDS (IVdNDS) and in vitro digestible NDF, the IVdNDS of whole was not uniform or completely fermented. The difference in IVdNDS between ground and whole was related to Starch>4.75/Total. In conclusion, the proportion of minimally fragmented starch provides a corn silage fragmentation index that is related to the in vitro digestion of whole silages that, if validated by in vivo trials, may be a useful quantitative substitute for the qualitative processing adjustment factor that is used currently in summative equations for estimating the total digestible nutrients of corn silages.

Carbohydrates↗